In the drying process, many undesirable physicochemical changes occur that influence dried food product qualities. Pretreatments method is used to reduce the deterioration of dried food product qualities such as color, flavor, texture, rehydration ability and retention of nutrients. The methods of pretreatments are blanching, chemical treatment and osmotic dehydration. Osmotic dehydration is a water removal process which is based on placing foods in a concentrated osmotic solution or in a dry osmotic material. A large number of process variables have a significant effect on process and final product quality. In order to improve final product quality it is necessary to know the role of each process variable and understand the mecanisms throughout the process. Osmotic dehydration is a valuable processing tool with great future in minimal processing of fruits and vegetables.

• 윤광섭